Category Archives: Sports

Politics, Religion, Same-sex Marriage, Sports

Nike Drops Manny Pacquiao, UNA Drops Jejomar Binay

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Binay, left, and Pacquiao
Binay, left, and Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Apparel giant Nike has terminated its relationship with boxer Manny Pacquiao after his recent inflammatory comments about the LGBT community.

“We find Manny Pacquiao’s comments abhorrent,” the statement reads. “Nike strongly opposes discrimination of any kind and has a long history of supporting and standing up for the rights of the LGBT community. We no longer have a relationship with Manny Pacquiao.”

Pacquiao had compared gay men and women to animals – in fact, worse than animals.

Just hours after the Nike announcement, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) dropped Jejomar Binay as its presidential standard bearer, a decision prompted by recent statements by the Vice President supporting Pacquiao’s position on same-sex marriage.

“We understand now that as a political party, we cannot discriminate against anyone, including the gay and lesbian community and that we must adhere to the separation of church and state,” an UNA memorandum said.

“Binay’s support for Pacquiao and his stand on same-sex marriage (which is basically following the Catholic Church’s position on the issue) will make it difficult for us to win in the elections,” the memo added.

Meanwhile, two other presidential candidates, Mar Roxas and Miriam Defensor-Santiago, are reportedly reconsidering their position.  They are known to oppose legalizing same-sex marriage in the Philippines. The other two candidates, Grace Poe and Rodrigo Duterte are in favor.

LGBT, Religion, Same-sex Marriage, Sports

Westboro Baptist Church Will Picket Pacquiao-Bradley Fight In Las Vegas April 9

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Members of the Westboro Baptist Church
Members of the Westboro Baptist Church

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (The Adobo Chornicles, San Francisco Bureau) – When Manny Pacquiao meets Timothy Bradley, Jr. for the third time on April 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, he will be met by a picket line by the homophobic hate group Westboro Baptist Church (WBC).

WBC is known for its rhetoric against homosexuals and has staged pickets at many high-profile events, including funerals, espousing its belief that “God hates fags.”

So, why are the WBC members picketing Pacquiao when he is on their side?

Just recently Pacquiao compared homosexuals to animals, claiming that human beings are worse than animals for engaging in same-sex behavior.

It appears that WBC is picketing for a different reason.  The church believes that the sport of boxing is “barbaric” and “animalistic” and goes against the teachings of God.

So, there.  Pacquiao will finally meet his match.  Not Bradley. WBC.

Government, International, Law Enforcement, Politics, Sports

Philippine Elections Body To Manny Pacquiao: Quit Boxing Match Or Quit Senatorial Race

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June 9, 2012: Reigning WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-2-2, 38 KOs) lost a very controversial twelve round split decision against unbeaten WBO jr welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (29-0, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
June 9, 2012: Reigning WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-2-2, 38 KOs) lost a very controversial twelve round split decision against unbeaten WBO jr welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (29-0, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

QUEZON CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Exactly one month before Filipino voters will judge him on his bid to become a senator, Manny Pacquiao will be judged inside the boxing ring in Las Vegas. Pacquiao will face Timothy Bradley, Jr., for the third time for the welterweight title.

Bradley defeated Pacquiao in a controversial split decision in 2012, while Pacquiao defeated Bradley in a unanimous decision two years later.

As usual, a big controversy is brewing — not in the boxing ring, but in the Philippine political circus, we mean circuit.

The Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC) which oversees the election and campaign process, is reportedly considering to disqualify Pacquiao from the senatorial race because of campaign violations.

COMELEC limits campaign spending and ensures equal opportunity among all candidates in as far as media exposure is concerned. The electoral body accuses Pacquiao of both violations.

“By engaging in a televised fight on April 9, Pacquiao is at a tremendous and unfair advantage over his senatorial rivals because of the media exposure that will resuilt from the match to be held at MGM Grand,”  COMELEC Chairman Andres Bautista said.

Bautista added that Pacquiao usually spends millions of dollars whenever he has a fight, especially abroad. Pacquiao is known to charter an entire commercial plane to bring his entourage, media and fans to watch him fight. “That would be in violation of the campaign spending limits,” Bautista said.

The COMELEC said Pacquiao has one of two options: quit the boxing match with Bradley, or quit the senatorial race.

Philippine elections will be held on May 9 this year.